EP2203912B1 - Separating device having an energy storage for an energy-conducting electric lead - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has monitoring units (151a, 152a, 160) for monitoring electrical properties of a conductor section of a conductor, where the conductor section is adjacent to the device. Energy storage (140) i.e. double layer condenser, is coupled with the monitoring units, so that a function of the monitoring units is sustained when failure of the conductor is sustained. A switching element (131a) is coupled with the monitoring units, and is adjusted such that the conductor section is separated during failure of the conductor. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a power supply system for an electrical device i.e. peripheral device of a risk detection system, comprising an electric conductor (2) a method for providing electrical energy.

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical or electronic circuit technology. It relates in particular to a separating device for an energy-carrying electrical line, which is preferably designed as a closed loop, which starts from a central station and is returned in the form of a loop to the center.

The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical or electronic circuit technology. It relates in particular to a separating device for an energy-carrying electrical line, which is preferably designed as a closed loop, which starts from a central station and is returned in the form of a loop to the center.

From the German patent DE 199 60 422 C1 a method and a circuit arrangement for the determination of acting as a current sink faulty detectors in a hazard detection system is known. Each detector has a capacitor for energy storage, a measuring resistor in a wire, an evaluation device evaluating the voltage drop across the measuring resistor, an address memory and a switch controllable by the evaluation device between the wires. When receiving disturbing data in the query by the control center sends this a voltage signal to the detectors to close the switches of all detectors. The control center then outputs an impressed current of predetermined magnitude to the line, and the evaluation device opens the switch when the current consumption does not exceed a predetermined measured value and the voltage drop across the measuring resistor reaches a predetermined value. The next detector also opens the switch when connected to its measuring resistor falling voltage reaches its predetermined value and the power consumption does not exceed the predetermined maximum value, etc. The control panel detects the detector whose switch has remained closed at least temporarily. According to a local embodiment according to FIG. 3, the circuit arrangement has two isolators. If it is determined in the logic of the control panel that the measured value of the current consumption in a detector exceeds a predetermined maximum value, the switch in the respective detector is closed. A short-circuit current flows on the line, which in any case reaches the threshold value of the isolators. They therefore separate the message section between them from the line.

From the US patent US 4,864,519 An information transmission system for a building management system is known. It has a controller and several stations connected to a signaling loop. A station may have a tee for introducing a branch in the reporting loop. Such a station has two switches in series, which can be addressed via the controller addressed in order to address more stations in the first or in the second branch can. In a short circuit, both switches of a T-member can be controlled by opening a microcomputer to electrically isolate all branches of the T-member from each other.

In hazard alarm technology, failures of electrical equipment and / or supply or data lines must always have an effect on a small and predefined area. In this case, sector-dependent aspects determine the maximum size of the part of a danger-detection system which ultimately fails to function. In this context, the different branches of hazard alarm technology include (a) fire alarm technology (BMT), (b) intrusion or intruder alarm technology (IMT) or (c) voice alarm technology. Voice alarm systems, for example, are added used to convey in a hazardous situation to persons instructions on how to leave a danger area as fast as possible and as safe as possible.

The maximum size of the ultimately incapacitated part may be (a) a single fire compartment or a few manual fire alarms in a fire alarm system, (b) a vault in an intruder alarm system or (c) in a voice alarm system only a loudspeaker.

On the signaling side, for example, in (a) the BMT or in (b) the IMT, the safety with closed annular loops for the connection of a plurality of reporting units with a center can be inexpensively raised to a high level of security. For (c) the voice alarming technique, this is not possible since the control lines connecting a control center to a plurality of loudspeakers are burdened with high energy.

The reliability in particular of energy-carrying lines whose function in the event of danger, so in fires or destruction as long as possible must be kept upright, today represents a serious security problem. For the reliability is especially the problem of short circuit due to failure or destruction relevant.

To increase the operational reliability of energy-carrying lines, a number of proposals were made in the specialist circles involved. These include (a) a distributed power supply including a high-performance battery close to key features, (b) own star-shaped power lines from the control panel to key functions, and (c) intrinsically safe power distribution in specially fire-retardant pipes with sand-like heat caked line insulation, which in the common language derogatory also called water pipe. All However, these proposals are associated with a high cost, especially in the establishment of a voice alarm system.

The invention has for its object to improve the reliability of energy-carrying electrical lines in a simple manner.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a separator for an electrical power line is described. The separator is particularly suitable for an energy-carrying electrical line, which emanates from a control center of a hazard detection system and is returned in the form of a loop to the center. The described separation device comprises (a) a monitoring unit for checking the electrical properties of a line section of the line adjacent to the separation device, (b) an energy store which is coupled to the monitoring unit so that the function of the monitoring unit is maintained even if the line is faulty and (c) a switching element which is coupled to the monitoring unit and which is arranged such that in the event of a fault in the line, the adjacent line section can be disconnected.

The invention is based on the finding that a high supply reliability can be ensured even with a loop-shaped supply line for electrical devices, if at least one inventive separation device is inserted into the supply line. Through this, a defective line section also from the center be disconnected when the separation device according to the invention due to a total destruction of the supply line no electrical energy can be provided more. By separating the defective line section, the function of the electrical devices, which are arranged between the defective line section and the center, can be maintained.

The electrical devices can be any peripheral units of a hazard detection system such as speakers, solenoids for automatic opening or closing of a door, actuators for smoke dampers, fans or other components of a hazard detection system for hazard detection and / or risk removal.

If the loop-shaped supply line has sufficient separation devices, so that only the defective line section can be separated and no intact line sections must be disconnected, all electrical devices connected to intact line sections can thus continue to be operated in the case of only one line defect. The devices on one side of the supply line are supplied via the one branch of the separate looped line and the devices on the other side of the supply line via the other branch of the separate looped supply line.

A loop-like laying of the supply line in connection with at least one of the separating devices according to the invention has the advantage that at least partial sections of the supply line and the electrical devices connected thereto remain operational. This also applies if there is a total destruction of the line at one point within a building. This function preservation is of great advantage, in particular in voice alarm systems, because persons in danger can be guided quickly and safely out of the danger zone.

The term energy leader is to be understood in this context, an electrical power transmission towards the respective device, which is significantly higher in devices that serve only the detection or the detection of a hazard. Of course, the power requirement of the individual devices, which are connected to the electrical supply line, adds up to a total power requirement. The total power requirement can be 10 to 1000 watts for an acoustic warning system, which comprises, for example, 30 to 100 loudspeakers connected to the common supply line. For other peripheral units of a hazard detection system such as actuators for smoke dampers, fans or electromagnetic door opener or door closing mechanisms, the total power requirement may be even higher depending on the number of connected devices.

In the context of this application, the term electrical properties means electrical characteristics of the supply line, such as the supply voltage, a maximum current load up to the onset of the supply voltage and / or a current flowing along the supply line. The separating device according to the invention recognizes an adjacent line section as error-free if at least one of these characteristics lies within a predetermined tolerance interval.

It should be noted that in an acoustic emergency warning system via the electrical supply line not only the required to operate the speakers and possibly necessary amplifier electrical energy can be transmitted. Via the supply line, the voice information for suitable voice announcements can be transmitted, so that the supply line can be used in an advantageous manner for the transmission of information.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the energy store has a capacitor and in particular a double-layer capacitor.

In comparison with the use of a rechargeable battery, a capacitor or a double-layer capacitor has the advantage that the charging process can be carried out very quickly and that no overcharging is possible. Furthermore, in particular, a double-layer capacitor ages significantly more slowly in comparison to a conventional rechargeable battery, so that a functional check of the energy store is not required or at least only has to be carried out at comparatively long intervals. Preferably, the double-layer capacitor has a lifetime of at least 10 years, during which time the capacity decreases less than, for example, 20%.

Compared to other capacitors have double-layer capacitors, which are familiar to the experts involved in the terms or brand names gold caps, supercaps, Boostcaps or Ultracaps, a much larger capacity. The high capacitance of these capacitors, and thus the possibility of effective electrostatic energy storage, is due to (a) a large electrode area and (b) the dissociation of ions in a liquid electrolyte which forms a dielectric having a thickness of only a few atomic layers.

The use of a double-layer capacitor also has the advantage that the energy storage can be integrated in a simple manner in the described separation device. A separate housing for the energy storage is not required. The separator can thus be realized in a compact design.

A double-layer capacitor with a capacity of approximately 0.5 Farad can be used after a complete power interruption the entire circuit, ie in particular the monitoring unit and the switching element, provide for a longer period of, for example, 5 seconds with electrical energy. Thus, it can be ensured that even after a complete collapse of the supply line, the separating element can still reliably perform its separation function for the supply line.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the separating device additionally has a rectifier element, which is arranged between a node, which can be connected to a pole of the energy-carrying electrical line, and the energy store. The rectifier element may be, for example, a conventional diode or an array of multiple diodes.

The use of a rectifier element has the advantage that the separator described operates both with DC voltage and with AC voltage and thereby an energy storage can be ensured. Thus, the described separation device can be operated both in DC networks and in an AC environment, which is given for example in Sprachalarmierungssystemen. In Sprachalarmierungssystemen can be used to power the energy storage of the monitoring tone of an amplifier. This monitoring tone, for example, have a frequency of about 10 Hz. However, the energy storage can also be fed with higher frequencies, such as a frequency generating an ultrasonic sound.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the isolating device additionally has a voltage converter which has an input and an output, wherein the input can be connected to one pole of the energy-carrying electrical line and the output provides an internal supply voltage of the isolating device.

Preferably, the voltage converter is designed such that a fixed supply voltage of, for example, 5 volts can be provided even when the input from the line with different high supply voltages, for example in the range between 9 volts and 150 volts is fed. Furthermore, the input can also be coupled to the rectifier element described above, so that the voltage converter can also be supplied both with a correctly polarized DC voltage or with an AC voltage.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the monitoring unit has a processor. The processor can thereby cause the described separation device to measure at regular intervals, the adjacent line sections of the loop-shaped supply line. This survey can be done independently without a transmitted for example by the central trigger signal. Likewise, the measurement results can be evaluated independently by the processor. This can be done, for example, in an operating phase without a disturbing signal, e.g. Background music, done.

In comparison to a sequential control of a plurality of line sections of a loop-shaped supply line controlled by the center, the autonomous measurement and evaluation of the respective adjacent line sections made here by the individual separation devices has the advantage that the overall line measurement can take place much more quickly. This is particularly noticeable when setting up a danger detection system, which takes significantly longer in a controlled by the central sequential inspection of the line sections.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the monitoring unit has a short-circuit detection unit, a voltage detector and / or an overcurrent detection unit. Thus, the adjacent to the separator line sections can be examined for all common errors out. In addition to short circuits, these include, for example, interruptions or usually creeping interference effects such as electrical shunts or corroded connections. The electrical energy that is required to detect this line error can be removed from the energy storage of the separator.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the separating device additionally has (a) a further monitoring unit for checking the electrical properties of a further line section of the line adjoining the separating device, and (b) a further switching element which is coupled to the further monitoring unit and which is set up that in case of failure of the line, the further adjacent line section is separable.

By using two monitoring units and two switching elements, two line sections adjoining the separating device can be checked independently of one another and, if necessary, decoupled from the separating element and thus from the other line section. In the case of a loop-shaped supply line while a line section is assigned to a branch of the supply line to the center and the other line section the other branch of the supply line also to the center.

The further monitoring unit, like the monitoring unit described above, can have a further short circuit detection unit, a further voltage detector and / or a further overcurrent detection unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the two switching elements are controlled such that after a Opening both switching elements in a detected line defect on an adjacent line section, the other switching element, which is assigned to the other adjacent line section, can be closed.

Thus, after a detected deviation of the electrical properties of a non-functioning line section, the functional further line section can be switched on again by closing the further switching element. The switching element, which is assigned to the non-functioning side of the separating device, remains open in order to maintain the separation of the separating device with the defective line section.

Preferably, with the closing of the further switching element, a predetermined time is waited, in order to ensure that other separating elements of the loop-shaped supply line have also completed their checks of the various line sections.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the separating device additionally has a payload connection for connecting a payload. This has the advantage that the peripheral units of a hazard detection system can be connected directly to the separation devices. For connecting the peripheral units there are thus no further adapters or connections formed on the supply line.

The payload terminal may comprise two terminal contacts, wherein a terminal contact with the one pole of the power-carrying electrical supply line and the other terminal contact with the other pole of the energy-carrying electrical supply line is connected. If two switching elements are used, one of the two connection contacts can be located between the two switching elements. In this case, both switching elements connected in series can be assigned to one of the two poles.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the separating device additionally has a payload monitoring unit for checking the electrical properties of a payload connected to the payload connection.

With the payload monitoring unit, the functionality of the payload or an electrical device can be easily checked. Thus, the payload can be disconnected from the payload port after a fault detected on the payload side. After disconnecting the payload, the switching element or the switching elements, if necessary, be closed again. As a result, a closed loop-shaped connecting line can be restored with all the above-mentioned advantages.

The payload may be, for example, a speaker or an amplifier with a connected speaker.

Figur 1a

zeigt eine Trennvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Aus- führungsform mit einem auf ein Absinken der Versor- gungsspannung sensitiven Spannungsdetektor.

Figur 1b

zeigt eine Trennvorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform mit einer Überstromerkennungsein- heit.

Figur 1c

zeigt eine Trennvorrichtung gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform mit lediglich einem Schaltelement zum Trennen einer Versorgungsleitung.

Figur 2

zeigt ein Energieversorgungssystem mit einer Zentra- le und einer geschlossenen schleifenförmigen Versor- gungsleitung, in welcher mehrere Trennvorrichtungen integriert sind.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of presently preferred embodiments. The individual figures of the drawing of this application are merely to be regarded as schematic and not to scale.

FIG. 1a

shows a separation device according to a first embodiment with a voltage sensor sensitive to a drop in the supply voltage.

FIG. 1b

shows a separator according to a second embodiment with an overcurrent detection unit.

Figure 1c

shows a separator according to a third embodiment with only one switching element for disconnecting a supply line.

FIG. 2

shows a power supply system with a central and a closed loop supply line, in which a plurality of separation devices are integrated.

It should be noted at this point that in the drawing the reference signs of identical or corresponding components differ only in their first digit and / or by an appended letter.

The in FIG. 1a 3 shows a circuit breaker 120a according to a first embodiment of the invention. The separation device 120a has a first connection 121 and a second connection 122, which can each be connected to a two-pole supply line. By simply opening the supply line, the separation device 120a can be inserted into the supply line. In this case, a first conductor track or a first current path 126 is inserted into a first pole of the supply line. A second trace or a second current path 127 is inserted in the second pole of the supply line. According to the embodiment shown here, the second pole of the supply line is at the potential of the 0-volt, which is denoted by GND.

In the second interconnect 126 are two series-arranged switching elements 131a and 131b, which are for example designed as transistors or preferably as field effect transistors. However, the switching elements 131a, 131b can also be realized by relays (preferably in polarized version) or by other semiconductor components. The switching elements 131a and 131b are each coupled via a control line to a processor which is capable of causing an opening or closing of the switching elements 131a, 131b, depending on the operating state of the separating device 120a.

The separation device furthermore has an energy store 140 in the form of a double-layer capacitor. A terminal of the energy storage 140 is at the potential 0V (GND). The other terminal of the energy storage 140 is connected to an output of a voltage converter 144. In addition, a supply voltage Vdd for a plurality of components of the separation device 120a is provided at this output via a connection 145. The corresponding wiring is not shown for reasons of clarity.

The energy storage 140 enables the separator 120a to function even though the monitoring function described below for checking the electrical properties of the supply line and, if necessary, the disconnecting function for disconnecting a defective portion of the supply line from the separator 120a, even if no supply via the supply line electrical energy can be provided more. In any case, according to the exemplary embodiment shown here, this applies for a longer period of at least 5 seconds.

The voltage converter is connected to the first current path 126 via two rectifier elements 142a and 142b designed as diodes. Thereby, the voltage converter 144 can be operated even when the supply line is supplied with an AC voltage. According to the embodiment illustrated here, the voltage converter 144 accepts a supply voltage in a relatively large voltage interval between 9 volts and 150 volts. The output voltage is approximately 5 volts, so conventional components based on known transistor-transistor logic (TTL) can be used to implement the isolation device.

The separator 120a further includes two short circuit detection units 151a and 151b. With the short circuit detection unit 151a, a short circuit of the supply line be detected in a line section which is terminated at the first terminal. With the short circuit detection unit 151b, a short circuit in a line section which is completed at the second terminal can be detected.

How out FIG. 1a As can be seen, the two short circuit detection units 151a and 151b are each coupled to the processor 160. In the event of a detected short circuit, the processor 160 can thus open the switching element 131a or 131b facing the location of the short circuit and thus disconnect the corresponding short-circuited line section from the disconnecting device 120a.

The short circuit detection units 151a and 151b may be constructed in various manners known to those skilled in the art. Since only the function and not the detailed structure of the short-circuit detection units 151a and 151b is of importance for the disconnecting device 120a described here, a more detailed description of the short-circuit detection units 151a and 151b can be dispensed with in this application.

The separator 120a further includes two voltage detectors 152a and 152b. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the voltage detectors 152a and 152b are implemented by means of an operational amplifier whose output is coupled to the processor 160. As soon as the value of the voltage on the supply line or on the first conductor 126 drops below a predetermined voltage level or threshold, the processor 160 controls the respective switching element 131a and / or 131b so that the first conductor 126 is interrupted.

How out FIG. 1a Furthermore, the separating device 120a also has a terminal 161 for a payload 170, which according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here is a loudspeaker 170. How out FIG. 1a can be seen the one contact of the payload connection 161 is connected to the first conductor track 126, wherein the connection point lies exactly between the two switching elements 131a and 131b.

Since errors may also occur in connection with the connection of payloads, which may affect a supply of adjacent electrical devices and / or disconnecting devices also connected to the supply line, a first payload monitoring unit 162 is also provided. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the first payload monitoring unit 162 is implemented by means of an operational amplifier which detects the voltage applied to the payload. In the event of an impermissible voltage drop, the processor connected downstream of the first payload monitoring unit 162 will close at least one of the two switching elements 131a and 131b in order to decouple the obviously faulty payload 170 from the supply line.

In order to further increase the reliability during operation of the payload 170, a second payload monitoring unit 163 is also provided. The second payload monitoring unit 163 is a short-circuit detection unit, which is likewise connected in a manner not shown to the processor 160. In this way, the processor can open the switching elements 131a and / or 131b even in the event of a short circuit in the region of the payload connection 161 and thus disconnect the payload connection 161 from the supply line.

It should be noted that a functionally identical separating device can also be realized in that the two switching elements are arranged in the second conductor path 127. In this case, the separation of the supply line is achieved by a separation of the ground line. Thus, advantageously, an electrical device 170, such as a speaker, may be directly connected to the separator 120a 170 are connected. Separate connections in the supply line are therefore not required.

FIG. 1b shows a separator 120b according to a second embodiment of the invention. The separator 120b is different from that in FIG FIG. 1a in that the voltage detectors 152a and 152b are replaced by overcurrent detection units 156a and 156b. According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the overcurrent detection units 156a and 156b are likewise realized in each case by means of an operational amplifier, to each of which a resistor 155a or 155b is assigned. Of course, the overcurrent detection units 156a and 156b could also be used with the in FIG. 1a voltage detectors 152a and 152b are combined.

How out FIG. 1b As can be seen, the resistors 155a and 155b are arranged in series with the two switching elements 131a and 131b in the first conductive trace 126. Thus, during a current flow via the supply line or via the first conductor track 126, a voltage proportional to the current flow drops across the resistors 155a or 155b and is detected by the overcurrent detection units 156a or 156b. If the permissible maximum current is exceeded, the processor following the two overcurrent detection units 156a or 156b is caused to open at least one of the two switching elements 131a and 131b and thus to prevent the flow of current via the supply line.

As further out FIG. 1b As can be seen, the separating device 120b differs from that in FIG FIG. 1a Furthermore, because of the fact that a payload connection is not | is provided. The other components of the separator 120b are identical and must be identical to the corresponding components of the separator 120a both in their construction and in their function Therefore, at this point not be explained again in detail.

Figure 1c shows a separator 120c according to a third embodiment of the invention. The separator 120c is different from that in FIG FIG. 1a illustrated separating device 120a in that instead of two switching elements 131a and 131b, only one switching element 131 is provided. Furthermore, a monitoring of a payload 170 connected directly to the separating device 120c has been dispensed with. The other components of the separator 120c are identical both in their construction and in their function to the corresponding components of the separator 120a, and therefore need not be explained again in detail at this point.

As a result of the use of only one switching element 130 arranged in the first printed circuit 126, the separating device 120c represents a minimalized solution for monitoring and possibly disconnecting an energy-carrying connecting line. However, the checking of the electrical properties of the supply line functions exactly as in FIG FIG. 1a illustrated separation device 120a. In this case, after a detected error, no matter on which side of the separating device 120c, the single switching element 130 is not closed again. Since a payload connected to the supply line can now be arranged either in the drawing to the left or to the right of the separating device 120c, the payload on the defective side of the separating device 120c will in any case fail. However, such a failure may well be covered by applicable regulations depending on the particular application and thus be permissible. With the separation device 12Cc as a minimized solution for monitoring and, if necessary, for separating an energy-carrying connection line, applicable regulations can thus be met in a cost-effective manner.

FIG. 2 FIG. 2 shows a power supply system 200 having a central station 205 and a closed loop-shaped energy-carrying electrical line 210. The central station has a first loop connection 206 and a second loop connection 207. In the supply line a plurality of separation devices 220 are connected in series. Furthermore, in FIG. 2 not shown electrical consumers or payloads connected to the supply line. This can be done as above with reference to FIG. 1a via payload connections in the separation devices 220 and / or via connections to the supply line 220, which connections are located between the separation devices 220.

1. A) Die Speisung erfolgt sowohl über den ersten Schleifenanschluss 206 als auch über den zweiten Schleifenanschluss 207: Bei einem Leitungsdefekt wie beispielsweise einem Kurzschluss in einem Leitungsabschnitt kann in diesem Fall der fehlerhafte Leitungsabschnitt abgetrennt werden, so dass der Leitungsring bzw. die Leitungsschleife unterbrochen ist. Die Unterbrechung kann durch eine Aktivierung der Trennfunktion in denjenigen Trennvorrichtungen erfolgen, welche unmittelbar an den fehlerhaften Leitungsabschnitt angrenzen. Die Energieversorgung für die Nutzlasten, welche an den fehlerfreien Leitungsabschnitten angeschlossen sind, erfolgt dann abhängig von deren Position in der Versorgungsleitung entweder über den ersten Schleifenanschluss 206 oder über den zweiten Schleifenanschluss 207.
2. B) Die Speisung erfolgt lediglich über den ersten Schleifenanschluss:
   • An dem zweiten Schleifenanschluss erfolgt lediglich eine Detektion der ankommenden Spannung, welche als Hinweis für den aktuellen Zustand der Versorgungsleitung 210 verwendet werden kann. Im Falle eines Leitungsdefekts wie beispielsweise einem Kurzschluss oder einer Unterbrechung kann am zweiten Schleifenanschluss 207 nämlich keine Spannung detektiert werden. Somit kann für den Fall, dass über eine bestimmte Zeit, die für das Messen und ggf. ein automatisches Reparieren der schleifenförmigen Leitung 210 maximal benötigt wird, keine oder eine abweichende Spannung am zweiten Schleifenanschluss gemessen wird, auf einen Defekt in der Versorgungsleitung geschlossen werden.

The power supply of the individual payloads, which are connected to the supply line 210, via the annular supply line 210. The supply of the supply line in normal operation can be done in two different ways:

1. A) The feeding takes place both via the first loop connection 206 and via the second loop connection 207: In the case of a line defect such as a short circuit in a line section, the faulty line section can be disconnected in this case so that the line ring or the line loop is interrupted. The interruption can be done by activating the separation function in those separation devices which are directly adjacent to the faulty line section. The power supply for the payloads, which are connected to the fault-free line sections, then takes place, depending on their position in the supply line, either via the first loop connection 206 or via the second loop connection 207.
2. B) Power is supplied only via the first loop connection:
   • Only the detection of the incoming voltage, which can be used as an indication of the current state of the supply line 210, takes place at the second loop connection. Namely, in the case of a line defect such as a short circuit or an interruption, no voltage can be detected at the second loop terminal 207. Thus, in the event that no or a different voltage at the second loop terminal is measured for a certain time, which is required for measuring and possibly an automatic repair of the loop-shaped line 210, a defect in the supply line can be concluded.

The described loop-shaped power supply with a separating function that can be activated by disconnecting devices 220 thus makes it possible to achieve a high supply reliability of the payloads connected to the supply line 210. This is particularly advantageous for voice alarm systems, since there is typically transmitted via the supply line, which simultaneously represents the wiring for the corresponding speakers, a high electrical power in the form of alternating current at a low frequency.

In comparison to a known star-shaped wiring of the individual loudspeakers, in each case a cable extending between the center and a loudspeaker, the cost of the wiring, especially in the retrofitting in a building by the energy supply system described in this application is significantly reduced.

It should be noted that the described separation devices and the described power supply system can be used not only for voice alarm systems but also in all other fields of hazard detection technology.

It is further noted that the embodiments described herein represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is possible to suitably combine the features of individual embodiments with one another, so that for the person skilled in the art with the variants of embodiment that are explicit here, a multiplicity of different embodiments are to be regarded as obviously disclosed.

Claims (8)

1. Separating device for an energy-conducting electric lead (210), in particular for a lead (210) which emerges from a control centre (205) of a hazard reporting system and is fed back to the control centre (205) in the form of a loop, wherein said separating device (120a/b/c) comprises:

   • an overload current identification unit (155a, 156a) for identifying an overload current in a lead section of the lead (210), said lead section being adjacent to the separating device (120a/b/c), and

   • a switching element (131a) which is coupled to the overload current identification unit (155a, 156a) and is configured such that, in the event of an overload current, the adjacent lead section can be separated,

   characterised by

   • a voltage detector (152a) which is sensitive to a drop in the supply voltage,

   • the switching element (131a) which is coupled to the voltage detector (152a) and which is configured such that when the supply voltage drops below a predetermined voltage level, the adjacent lead section can be separated, and

   • an energy store (140) which is coupled to the overload current identification unit (155a, 156a) and the voltage detector (152a) such that the function of the overload current identification unit can be maintained even in the event of a failure of the lead (120).
2. Separating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the energy store has a capacitor, in particular a double-layer capacitor (140).
3. Separating device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in addition by a rectifier element (142a/b) that is arranged between a node, which can be connected to a terminal of the energy-conducting electric lead (210), and the energy store (140).
4. Separating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in addition by a voltage transformer (144) which has an input and an output, wherein the input can be connected to a terminal of the energy-conducting electric lead (210) and the output provides an internal supply voltage (Vdd) of the separating device (120a/b/c).
5. Separating device according to one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising

   • a further overload current identification unit (155b, 156b) and a further voltage detector (152b) for checking the electrical properties of a further lead section of the lead (210), said further lead section being adjacent to the separating device (120a/b/c), and

   • a further switching element (131b), which is coupled to the further overload current identification unit (155b, 156b) and to the further voltage detector (152b) and is configured such that the further adjacent lead section can be separated in the event of a failure of the lead (210).
6. Separating device according to claim 5, characterised in that the two switching elements (131a, 131b) can be controlled in such a way that, after both of the switching elements (131a, 131b) have been opened as a result of an identified lead defect on the adjacent lead section, it is possible to close the further switching element (131b) which is assigned to the further adjacent lead section.
7. Separating device according to one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a live load connection interface (161) for connecting a live load (170).
8. Separating device according to claim 7, additionally comprising a live load monitoring unit (162, 163) for checking the electrical properties of a live load (170) which is connected to the live load connection interface (161).

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